Old postcard Arras 1914 WWI – bombing, rare historical photo

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This old postcard shows a black and white view of the city of Arras after the 1914 bombings during the First World War, titled "9. L'Invasion des Barbares Modernes – 1914 ARRAS – Vue Générale après le Bombardement" (9. The Invasion of Modern Barbarians – 1914 ARRAS – General View after the Bombardment). The image shows an urban landscape marked by destruction, with several partially collapsed buildings, gutted roofs, and a heavily damaged church tower, testifying to the violence of the fighting at the time. The contrast between the ruined structures and the winter vegetation in the foreground is striking.

The postcard is printed in black and white, typical of early 20th-century productions. The photographic style of the era is clearly visible, with a wide shot capturing the extent of the damage to the city's architecture. In the bottom left, the mention "éd. Hautmont" is visible, indicating the card's publisher, along with a monogram or circular logo.

The photograph highlights the density of the dwellings, the advanced state of disrepair of some facades, and the presence of bare trees, reinforcing the wintery and dramatic atmosphere of the scene. The typographic inscription at the top of the card contributes to the historical authenticity of the object, specifying the series ("9.") and the context ("L'Invasion des Barbares Modernes – 1914").

The rectangular support has slightly rounded corners, with a visible patina on the surface, typical of an object from that period that has survived more than a century. No handwritten annotations or stamps are visible on the presented side.

Intended for correspondence or visual memory, this WWI postcard constitutes a valuable photographic testimony to the city of Arras during the Great War. It belongs to a documentary series on the 1914 destructions, making it a document of historical and archival interest.

Condition

Used item sold as is, with visible signs of wear and tear (patina, superficial marks). The illustrated side shows good readability of the inscriptions and the image, with no apparent tears on the visible side.

Did you know? Arras was one of the French cities most severely affected by the bombings of the First World War. As early as 1914, many historical monuments, including the famous cathedral and belfry, were severely damaged. Postcards published at that time, like this one, served to document and disseminate the extent of the destruction throughout France and Europe.

AFW Reassurance

Careful packaging and fast shipping are ensured by a professional seller specializing in historical documents and antique postcards.

Keywords: antique postcard, Arras 1914, WWI postcard, bombing, historical photo, Great War, France war 14-18, Arras souvenir card, éd. Hautmont, destroyed heritage, old urban view, sepia card